Sat, 07/06/2002 - 00:00

Caller One comes home

MIAMI - James K. Chapman has confirmed that Caller One will run in Saturday's $400,000 Smile Sprint Handicap. The Smile will be the co-feature along with the $400,000 Princess Rooney Stakes on the $1.4 million Summit of Speed program.

Sat, 07/06/2002 - 00:00

Easyfromthegitgo wins Iowa Derby

ALTOONA, Iowa - Easyfromthegitgo parlayed a ground-saving trip under jockey Donnie Meche into a neck victory over pacesetter Pass Rush in Friday night's $250,000 Iowa Derby at Prairie Meadows.

Meche waited patiently while racing in striking range along the rail as Pass Rush set the pace inside of Vito Corleone through a half-mile in 46.97 seconds. Danthebluegrassman, the 6-5 favorite with $183 more wagered on him than Easyfromthegitgo who also was 6-5, joined the dueling leaders entering the second turn to make it three in a line around the bend.

Sat, 07/06/2002 - 00:00

Taraval extends win streak

PLEASANTON, Calif. ? Taraval recorded his third straight victory and second stakes win, defeating Standard Setter by three lengths to win the $53,340 Everett Nevin Alameda County Futurity on Friday at the Alameda County Fair.

The 2-year-old colt ran five furlongs in 57.49 seconds for the victory, repeating his June 16 win over Standard Setter in the Malcolm Anderson Stakes at Bay Meadows. He stalked the early pace of Cash Creek, who defeated him in his debut, then pulled away down the lane despite drifting out.

Fri, 07/05/2002 - 00:00

Gygistar goes long in the Dwyer

Adam Coglianese
Gygistar will make his first attempt beyond seven furlongs Saturday against five other 3-year-olds in the Dwyer.

ELMONT, N.Y. - Gygistar, undefeated in three sprint starts this year, including a 4 1/2-length victory in the Grade 2 Riva Ridge, enters uncharted waters in Sunday's $150,000 Dwyer at Belmont Park.

Gygistar will be tested for the first time beyond seven furlongs in the 1 1/16-mile Dwyer, which drew a field of six 3-year-olds. Gygistar will vie for the favorite's role with Yankee Gentleman, who finished fourth in the Riva Ridge as the favorite.

Fri, 07/05/2002 - 00:00

If the old Go Go gets going...

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Through most of her career, Go Go would be a standout in a race such as Sunday's $75,000 Great Lady M. Handicap at Hollywood Park and difficult to oppose as a short-priced favorite.

But this year, Go Go has not shown the consistency of past seasons. A 5-year-old, Go Go finished a tired fourth in the B. Thoughtful Stakes on April 28, her 2002 debut. In the Grade 3 Desert Stormer Handicap on June 7, she bled from the lungs, finishing last in the sprint for fillies and mares.

Fri, 07/05/2002 - 00:00

The sky's the limit for Posse

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The comforting part of having a stable the size of Steve Asmussen's is that even when something negative occurs, there tends to be something positive to focus on.

After being badly stung last week by the loss of his star filly, Cashier's Dream, Asmussen was the first to admit that he has little choice but to soldier on.

"Horrible," he said, in describing how Cashier's Dream died from complications of intestinal disease.

Fri, 07/05/2002 - 00:00

Clement, Santos hook up again

OCEANPORT, N.J. - Trainer Christophe Clement and jockey Jose Santos teamed up for a victory in the Grade 3, $100,000 Matchmaker Handicap two years ago with Horatia, and they reunite in this year's edition of the 1 1/8-mile turf race for fillies on Sunday with likely favorite Siringas.

Fri, 07/05/2002 - 00:00

Shady Well is wide open

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Mountain Dawn heads a wide-open running of the $165,450 Shady Well Stakes, a 5 1/2-furlong race for 2-year-old fillies Sunday at Woodbine.

In an interesting supporting feature, multiple stakes winners Wake at Noon, Mr. Epperson, and Rare Friends will meet in a six-furlong allowance race that is the prep for the July 20 Bold Venture Handicap.

Mountain Dawn, a diminutive chestnut, mounted a belated rally on a speed-favoring track to end up third behind the promising Kentucky-bred Handpainted in her May 18 debut.

Fri, 07/05/2002 - 00:00

Shortfall in purses poses serious threat in Illinois

CHICAGO - The recently announced purse cuts at Arlington Park are only a temporary salve to what could evolve into a serious problem for Illinois racing.

Fri, 07/05/2002 - 00:00

Slew Ta Fame fastest qualifier for Rainbow

It took nearly eight hours to complete Friday's marathon 20-race card of trials to the $635,470 Rainbow Futurity at Ruidoso Downs and at the end of the day a final field dominated by familiar Ruidoso faces had emerged and Ruidoso Futurity (G1) winner Zip First kept alive his chances of capturing the $4 Million All American Quarter Horse Triple Crown Bonus.